The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-12-01
ond burst of applause rose from the

lessly at the floral trophies that were
heaped in a basket, ready to be car
ried to the little second floor lodging
where Mrs. Cleve frightened her
rooms with the favorite blossoms.
"Who threw that wreath?' he asked,
with sudden impulse of curiosity, as
he saw it lying on the top.
Geraldine did not answer; she was
busy tying on her veil. Jonas picked
it up and examined the card fastened
to it.
duncan Middleworth."
As quick as lightning the young hus
baud tore the wreath in twain, threw
It on the tiOor and set his heel ou it.
Jonas" Geraldine cried, half
angry. half frightened.
Il told you would have no more of
such nonsense" he said in Il voice al
most sntiocated with rage. IF you
even accept So much as a bud that
comes from his hand again-"
''Well. what then?" she said def
antly.
But his whole voice aud manner had
changed;
Are YOU ready TO 90 homer he
asked quietly. Because it is growing
late"
But Geraldine could not forget the
white heat of anger that had blazed in
his brief glance.
''It's too absurd" she thought 81
will not give way to his unreasoning
| jealousy"
Mr.. Duncan Middleworth sat in Il
proscenium box the next evening. and
TOSSED an exquisite basket of japon-
icas at Geraldine Cleve's feet when the
moment of ovation came.
She stopped herself to pick it up.
with an arch gratiiied smile, and i
slight motion of her head towards the
box; and as she turned away she met
her husbands stern reproachful eve.
Her first impulse was tn drop the
basket again, her second TO brave it
out.
''What have donep" she asked her
self half Indignantly; and as she went
of the stage she carried the flower
basket in her hand.
Jonas Cleve, however, did not make
his appearance rs usual in her dressing
| room when she was ready to depart,
but, instead, an old one eyed carpen-
| ter. who served about the theatre,
stood waiting.
..Where's Mr.. Cleve. Griffith"
He said L was to see you home,
ma am"
But where is hep"
Please, ma'am, don't know"
Geraldine asked no more questions,
| but she bit her scarlet lip. until the
blood came.
He is angry about the flower
basket, she thought. ''Well, let him
sulk!'
| But Jonas was not at home when |
she reached their modest lodgings, |
and Geraldine was surprised 1T the |
sudden sinking of her own heart.
HE will be home sOOn," she COM |
forted herself by saying.
As she took the basket of iaponicas |
out of its tissue paper wrappings, |
something glittered in the gas light. |
1t was diamond ring; fastened To the |
| handle.
This will never do" said Geral- |
dine, half glad that her husband was |
not there to see the shining gaud. Il |
must send it back tomorrow. Jonas |
was right after all. / will receive no |
more flowers from Duncan Middle |
| worth.
And then she sat down, all in her
silvery and tissue robes, to wait pa
tiently for her husbands return
But he did not come. The clock |
struck twelve--one-two-a still no |
familiar footsteps sounded on the
! stairs.
| And then an awful doubt crept into |
| her mind. She had set his will and |
wishes at defiance! Had he left her
forever?
1t was only during all instant that
she harbored the possibility, but that
! one second made her heart as cold as |
| ice.
And when the next days sun dawned,
| lurid and cheerless, and she still sat
! alone. covering over the smouldering
| fire, she would have given half life
| time to be able 10 live over the last |
evening once more.
why did [ touch the basket" she |
| asked herself passionately, 'when he |
wished me not? Oh. surely L have
| deserved this anguish, this terrible |
doubt. for panderlng to my own base
vanity If he would only come back |
| again, but
She dared not say to herself, ''lf he |
| should never come backm
The day crept by, and she still sat |
huddled np in heap, pallid and sick |
| at heart. with no energy for anything |
She had sent back the diamond ring |
promptly, as an insult which she |
would not for moment brook. But, |
alas! it was too late now.
For Geraldine was gladly becoming |
assured that her own folly had for |
| feited her husbands love, and she |
cared for naught else in life.
| The dusk was again gathering sadly |
around her. when the door suddenly |
opened and tall figure entered.
Gerry! Why, what's the matter?"
''Jonas!"
She sprang into his arms with an
| hysterical shrek. The sudden revul- |
| sion of feeling was too great II shock. |
II have torn it all to pieces, Jonas.
| never want to see it again, she !
cried.
Torn what to pieces? don't un-
derstand you, child"
1.-The horrid, odious basket of jap |
onicas?"
''Oh, remember now, my darling" |
with n tender pressure of the hand. !
"How shall thank you for your re-
gard for my wishes?"
"But, Jonas, why did you leave me |
without word?" she asked breath |
lessly.
Didn't Griffith give You the letter."
Your letterp Not"
Then he was half drunk, as usual.
/ suppose. was telegraphed from
Albany, by my employer, to bring
him up some valuable papers from the
office, and had to take the midnight
train without an instants delay. |
had no time to see you, but ! sent you
line by Griffith, with directions to
see Won home.
.'He escorted me home, but he never
spoke about letter." said Geraldine,
bursting into tears,
''The old villain! But l hope you
were not uneasy, dearest?
''Oh. Jonas, was miserable. II
feared you had ceased TO love mel"
sobbed the young wife.
LAS if that were possible. darling"
But Geraldine had received a lesson,
nevertheless--a lesson which she al
ways remembered.
Near Hamburg Bar, CAL, Willie
Nelson, aged 10 wears, fell from an